Chapter 13 #2
“Now, Jamie, dinna be rash.”
“Rash? Sweet Mary!” Jamie swore. “Fair is what I’ll be. Now bring her!”
Colen shook his head. “She’ll no’ come near you if you’re scowling like black thunder.”
Jamie managed a smile, though it was a dark smile. “Is this better?” he asked sarcastically.
“Ha! Not by much,” Colen grunted. “If the lass looks at you and flees, you’ll know why.”
Movement caught her eye, and Sheena turned to see Colen leaving the laird’s table. She knew his path would lead to her, and she wanted to get up and run away. She had already made one scene, and in front of him. She was determined not to do so again.
But when Colen spoke behind her, Sheena’s nerves shattered. “Lass, my brother wishes a word with you.”
“I’m no’ ready,” she whispered.
“He is.”
She turned around to look at Colen. His expression was unreadable. She couldn’t look up at the laird’s table though, to see what awaited her there. She had spent a miserable night alone, remembering every terrible story she had ever heard about James MacKinnion.
“I…I think I would rather wait, Colen,” Sheena said nervously. “Truly, I—”
“Sheena.” He cut her off. “The time has come.”
Knowing there was no choice, she rose and let Colen lead her to the raised dais, his hand firmly on her elbow.
The closer she got, seeing James MacKinnion watching her every move with dark, hardened eyes, the more Colen had to force her along.
When she came around the table, Jamie stood up, so his eyes didn’t leave her.
Standing before him, forcing herself to meet his gaze, she watched his jaw clamp down and wondered what he had to be nervous about.
She didn’t know that she caused it, that her eyes were wide and frightened.
She didn’t even realize she was pulling back so hard that if Colen had let go of her arm she would have fallen backward.
“By the fire, Colen,” Jamie ordered, and a moment later Colen was pushing her down into one of the cushioned chairs, the laird of Castle Kinnion standing in front of the hearth, his back to her.
Colen sat down on a bench beside Sheena and gave her a reassuring smile.
Then The MacKinnion turned around and pierced her with those brooding hazel eyes.
“Well, Sheena, how do you like Castle Kinnion?”
The question eased her, as he had meant it to. Whatever she had expected from this harsh laird, it wasn’t such a casual, hospitable question.
“’Tis a fine castle, to be sure.”
“One you wouldna mind living in?”
She should have known better than to relax her guard so easily. Was he already deciding to make her stay, without even hearing her wishes?
“I would mind,” she said firmly.
Jamie chuckled and sat down opposite her. “Well then, we had best settle this. First, I’m sure you know my brother’s no’ sorry he brought you here. You’ll be getting no apology from him.”
“I dinna expect one. I just want to leave.”
“So you have said. But I hope you will understand my position. You are here, no’ of your own design, but here nonetheless. And being here, you are my responsibility.”
“But I dinna hold you responsible,” she assured him quickly.
“I do.” His tone was inflexible. “But that is no’ the issue. The fact is, my brother has given sound reasons why you should settle here and make your home with us.”
“To marry him!” Sheena gasped, suddenly furious over the way the interview was progressing.
“His reason has naught to do with that. He is concerned with your welfare, lass.”
“I didna ask for his concern—or yours.”
“Your attitude is unusual,” Jamie said thoughtfully. “Another in your position, alone and penniless, wouldna hesitate to accept the security offered here. Why do you refuse?”
“I’ll no’ be forced into marrying.”
“You misunderstand, Sheena,” Jamie replied patiently. “’Tis a home, a clan to belong to I am offering you, whether you marry my brother or no’.”
Sheena grew uncomfortable. From what he believed of her, thinking her a homeless beggar, what he offered was very generous.
But if he knew the truth, he would not wonder at her refusal.
To settle among her clan’s enemies was unthinkable.
But he was being kind, the last thing she would have expected. And that made her seem so ungrateful.
“I…I’m a Lowlander,” she said at last, jumping to any reasonable excuse. “Though I thank you for your offer, which is very kind, I canna settle here.”
“Are we such a terrible lot as you’ve been raised to believe?” Jamie asked with a smile. “Is it savages you see in this hall?”
“I’ve no’ seen much of your people here, so I canna judge,” she returned evasively.
“You disappoint me, lass. Will you no’ think about my offer for a time?”
“Nay,” she said firmly. “I canna fit in here. ’Tis better I leave now.”
Jamie was vexed, and he couldn’t keep it from her. “To return to what? The streets? Begging? You’ll be giving me a valid reason, lass, ’afore I’ll relinquish my responsibility.”
Sheena stiffened. He was growing angry again. But then, so was she. By what right did he demand a reason? By what right did he take away her freedom?
“I wish to return to what I know. That is enough reason,” she said coldly.
“That is a beggar’s life. It appears you dinna know what is good for you.”
“So you think!” she snapped, losing her temper under that hard gaze. “The fact is, I’m no’ a beggar, nor have I ever been. ’Tis only what Colen assumed.”
“Is it now?” Jamie asked smoothly. “Then why have you waited till now to say so?”
“I didna feel the need to tell you.”
“You’ll be telling me now, though,” Jamie said coldly, his eyes narrowed. “From what clan do you come?”
Sheena paled, searching frantically through her mind for a name, a name he could not easily dismiss. “I…I am a MacEwen.”
“From the landless MacEwens?” he asked scornfully.
She flinched, but answered, “Aye.”
Jamie laughed. “And you say you’re no’ a beggar? ’Tis what the MacEwens are now they’re dispossessed, beggars and thieves. No wonder you were reluctant to admit who you are.”
Sheena had had enough. She took the ridicule to heart and jumped to her feet, her temper soaring. “The MacKinnions are thieves, as well, and murderers!” she said heatedly. “I dinna see anything so proud in that!”
Jamie came to his feet, and Sheena panicked. His eyes smoldered, and his fists were clenched. She expected him to throttle her. Colen had risen, too, confirming that she was in deep trouble.
“What do you know of the MacKinnions that you can make such a charge?” Jamie demanded furiously.
Choked by fear, she tried to speak but couldn’t. Her eyes grew wider until, finally, she fled the hall.
She was mindless of pursuit. She just had to get away. She ran through the nearest doorway, which brought her into the courtyard outside. In the bright light of day came the thought of complete escape, of never having to see that man again. She ran toward the gatehouse.
The portcullis was raised, and Sheena had only a moment to be grateful before the shouts of the gatekeeper came to her. She ignored him and ran on, but she couldn’t ignore the other voice, the one she was running from. It was shouting her name, close behind her, so close, too close….
A hand gripped her arm like a steel manacle, pulling her back, and she felt her heart stop beating. So overwhelming was her fright, she fell into a black void, doing what she had never done before. She fainted.